The popular Scottish gay-romance series returns with this must-read novella!

Colin’s wounds have finally healed. He’s ready for his big comeback on the football pitch and can’t wait to return to a normal life—especially the rampaging sex he and his boyfriend, Lord Andrew, once indulged in.

But Andrew has his own invisible wounds. Each day the memories of that near-fatal attack tighten their grip on his mind. Yet he must stay strong for the man he loves, the man who almost died to save him.

Colin knows something’s wrong. The more questions he asks, the more Andrew hides behind his aristocratic stiff upper lip. A surprise turn of events may give them the justice they crave, but will it be enough?

When Andrew finally breaks down—in typically spectacular fashion—he must learn to trust like never before. And Colin must learn there’s more than one kind of strength.

Because with a love as mad as theirs, there’s no such thing as normal.

Note: Play Dead features the heroes of Playing to Win.Approximately 45,000 words/170 pages

Glasgow Lads series

Each novel features a new couple and a satisfying ending (no cliffhangers), so they can be read in any order.

- Play On, Duncan & Brodie prequel novella- Playing for Keeps, Fergus & John novel- Playing to Win, Colin & Lord Andrew novel- Play It Safe, Fergus & John short story- Playing with Fire, Liam & Robert novel- Play Dead, Colin & Lord Andrew novella- Playing in the Dark, Evan & Ben novel, late 2018

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Play Dead took the most unlikely, incompatible of people and turned them into one of the sweetest and authentically affectionate m/m couples that now sits in my library." -- Binge on Books

"This hurt my heart, and I soaked more than one tissue. But it was a raw and honest glimpse of emotional struggle that was superbly well done. Every step of the way through the darkness there was a glimmer of hope, plenty to make me smile or have a giggle or two, and offered a few surprises from this motley crew of footballers I adore."-- Back Porch Reader

"Mm-hm." Andrew's fingertips slipped beneath the hem of Colin's shirt. "I wanted to run out into the rain and show my support in the filthiest way possible."

Images burst into Colin's mind, stoking his need. Still, he was torn. He didn't want to risk triggering another panic attack, yet he knew if he said no, Andrew would be hurt. He might even think Colin was turned off by what Andrew saw as his "weakness."

But maybe there was a way to make this less threatening.

Colin grasped Andrew's hip to halt his grinding. "Show me. I'll be you, and you be me."

Top customer reviews

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Play Dead deals with Colin and Lord Andrew in the aftermath of the incidents in Playing to Win. In this novella, they both struggle to get back to normal, which may be hard for both of them. While Colin suffered physically, Andrew was affected mentally, which makes their healing different from each other.

I loved Andrew and Colin in Playing to Win, so it was great to revisit them, but this didn't feel like a nice little something for the readers, but instead it felt like a supplement that really added more to their story.Throughout I got all the feels, and several times my heart broke for Andrew and his struggle. I felt sadness, fear and worry for both of lads. There were some really powerful scenes in the story. Maybe this is because I was able to relate to Andrew's struggle, but I think it also has something to do with the writing.

I was very excited to have more Glasgow Lads, since I really love the series. For me Play Dead was a perfect example of what a novella should be: interesting story, but not too complex for the length. And as always the writing was amazing; from the first page I could feel I was once again in capable hands of Avery Cockburn.

This is a slow-moving, sometimes very excruciating, sequel to "Playing to Win," the second full book in this marvelous series. Herein Lord Andrew and commoner Colin struggle with their own reactions to the near tragic ending of that book. I won't spoil it to recap that book--read it and you will understand why.

What counts here is that author Avery Cockburn basically admits in an afterword that having faced his or her own personal mental health issues helped develop what Andrew, in particular, goes through in this one. That he is fortunate to have Colin love him and try to help him throughout is enough to keep you going because there are so many possibilities as to how this will culminate.

But it is a bit of a surprise, pleasant one at that, to see how the issues are confronted, dealt with, and how these two incongruously attached men get through it together.

Avery Cockburn’s world of gay football-playing Glaswegians is always richly drawn, her characters memorable and lovable. For Americans such as I, her books offer a keen insight into the both the culture and the class system of our English-speaking kin across the sea. Perhaps I take a tourist’s pleasure in reading about the Glasgow lads, but isn’t that what we all do in some respect with ever novel we read?

In this novella we revisit the aftermath of a happy ending. Lord Andrew Sunderland, son of the Marquess of Kirkross, and his working-class boyfriend Colin MacDuff seem to have achieved their happily-ever-after. But it’s not ever that simple, is it? Colin has indeed recovered from the near-fatal stabbing he received at the hands of his lover’s abductor. Andrew, however, is suffering invisibly. I supposed it would be called PTSD, or survivor’s guilt (even though nobody died)—Andrew feels guilt for Colin’s attack, for his role in that. On top of this he’s feeling guilty over the destruction of his sister’s marriage, and an irrational fear for his own safety (which, after all, is not so irrational). But Andrew is an aristocrat, and a very public figure, now even more so that he’s publicly out and the subject of media attention due to the abduction attempt. The wonderfully destructive “stiff upper lip” syndrome is in full sway: he must simply push through the fear and the psychological pain, and all will be well.

Yeah, right. We all know how well that works.

Once again, with lovingly studied portraits of people in their immediate orbit, Cockburn presents these two men as they cling to their shared love in the face of what seem at times to be insurmountable challenges. Colin worries about getting his physical strength back so he can continue to be a valuable player for his amateur LGBT football team. Andrew, on the other hand, is desperate to regain a sense of control over his life, and unlike Colin, is failing miserably.

The only quibble that keeps rising up and smacking me in the face is that both Andrew and Colin are 20 years old. Both of these boys seem far too mature and adult to be this young—and it stretches credulity just a bit, because Cockburn never shows them as acting their actual ages. Granted both of them would have achieved a certain maturity because of who they were and what their very different childhoods were. Nonetheless, I think Cockburn misses adding an essential youthful something in her portrayals. To me, Andrew and Colin seem to be closer to thirty than barely approaching 21.

That said, this only bothered me when I was reminded of it. Otherwise, the story is emotionally powerful and satisfyingly structured. Lord Andrew and his Colin are wonderful kids, and I hope to meet them someday when they’re all grown up.

I did not love this addition to Colin and Andrew's story. Andrew is having anxiety issues after Colin's attack, and basically has PSTD, a very serious condition that can't be quickly wrapped up in a short novella. I didn't think Andrew's problem got the detail or resolution that PTSD merits. See more reviews at boysonlybookclub.wordpress.com

It's a lovely treat to get to read further along in the evolution of a love story, and it's even better when mental trouble from trauma is handled so beautifully. Bonus is when there's a bit of set-up for the fourth novel. Now I wish Evan's story was already out!

When I heard Avery was writing a novella with Colin and Lord Andrew I could not wait as although I love all the Glasglow Lads, these two hold a special place for me. This book is all I had hoped for and more, building on the strong connection they have and how they deal with the after effects of the trauma they experienced and how they work together to heal and be the couple they are. I love all of this author’s books and auto buy knowing that not only will there be a great romance but the things the MC’s overcome and the diversity and difference in beliefs. These book are a must read and I strongly encourage to one click.

Great addition to a favourite series. I liked revisiting Andrew and Colin and seeing how they were coping after the happenings in their book. Both still have issues to deal with, but I liked that they did communicate with each other.Looking forward to the next one